Here and There

I have some random pictures of Grace that I wanted to post over the last couple months...

Welcome Home Elder and Sister Mitchell!!

My parents have been on their church service mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since September 2011.  They have been serving the people in the Solomon Islands, and we have missed them terribly.  

Last week, on Thursday I was up early checking my e-mail when I saw one from my mom asking me to get on Skype.  That was pretty unusual, so I thought something might be wrong.  I hurried and logged on, and immediately my mom said they were going to have to come home.  We knew that they were scheduled to be coming home in early August, so it came as a surprise.  They went on to tell me that the kidney stone my dad had been dealing with had not passed in over 2 months, and it was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and dangerous.  He would need surgery to have it removed, and there isn't proper medical care in the Islands.  

So, Dennis and I decided I would drive out to Utah with Jared and Grace to greet welcome them as they came home.  It was a big surprise, because my parents didn't think anyone would be at the airport to greet them. 

They arrived at the Salt Lake airport last night to see all their 5 children, and 16 of their 19 grandchildren.  (only Dennis and my three oldest were missing).  It was a memorable reunion, and the very first time for my parents to meet Grace Anne in person.  It was absolutely wonderful!

 The 16 grandchildren anxiously awaiting their arrival

 Mom and Dad's look of surprise at seeing us all

Jessie, Gwen, and Kamber in for some hugs

 JT, Austin, McKenna, and Blake join in

 Brice, Hunter, James, Kaylee, Scott, Luke now in on the action

 My mom meeting Grace!

while Maren and Brice look on

 

Grandma waited a long 4 1/2 months for that squeeze

 

My dad is such a great man.  

Jared and I hugging him

 

Mostly everyone... some getting 3rd and 4th hugs from Grandma

The whole airport welcome home crew with our missionaries

 Love it!

Brice, TJ, me, Scott, Mom, Dad, and Brenda

(yes, I am almost as tall as my brothers)

We're so happy they are home!!!

Andrew Turns Five!

Time just keeps ticking away, no matter how much we sometimes wish it wouldn't.

It's hard to believe that Andrew is already 5 years old.

He is one big ball of energy.

He gives us a run for our money, and I know with his determination he is going to do great things one day.

Andrew completely softens the instant he touches Grace.  He becomes a little snuggly teddy bear and protector.  It is one of my favorite things to watch.

He has the most endearing raisin-brown eyes and long black eyelashes.  If he is grows up to be tall one day (he's not very big right now), he will definitely be the "tall,dark, and handsome" man girls swoon over.

Simply put, we love him.

Two Months

In honor of Grace's 2-month birthday, we had a very amateur photo shoot at home.

The outtakes are some of my favorites.

Jared even got to get in on the action - cookies and all.

Emma Mae is 6!

I always feel like Emma gets ripped off a little because her birthday is only two days after Christmas. 

The wonderful thing about Emma is that she never feels that way.

She is just happy to have a day devoted just to her, and she doesn't care when it is!

This year was pretty funny, in fact.

Early on in December there were some rough days.  Our elf, Marvin, actually went away for an entire week because it was so bad.  We weren't sure if he was coming back, or if he'd even tell Santa to bring any presents to the kids. 

When we were discussing it one evening, Andrew and Sarah got really worried about not getting any presents.  But, Emma wasn't worried at all.  She happily proclaimed, "That's okay!  My birthday is right after Christmas, so I'll get presents anyway!" 

Smart girl.

Christmas Candy

We've been making Christmas candy like crazy the last few days.

Almond Joys, Cherry Cordials, Dollar Mints, Orange Creams, Buckeyes, and lots of chocolate covered pretzels.

The kids all helped us dip some pretzels tonight.

There may have been a little taste-testing going on in the kitchen!

Snow Fun

We got our first snowstorm of the season this week! 

The forecasters were really hyping it up, and it did not disappoint.

Once it started, it didn't stop for about 20 hours.

The kids were able to have two snow days away from school right before they were supposed to break for Christmas, so it was a fun little surprise.

Daddy decided to take the afternoon off after it stopped snowing to enjoy a little family time.

Snow and Ice + Daddy = Attex